WITH nine first team players unavailable it was always going to be difficult for East Leake to win this league game after a 50 mile trip and it was made worse as they could only field 14 players.

Skegness kicked off and within two minutes Leake scored as Kendall intercepted a pass and galloped in from inside his own half. Bowden added the extra two points to give them a dream start.

The referee penalised Leake almost immediately giving Skegness the chance to get three points back which they took.

A long kick out of defence by Purdew was fumbled by the full back giving a scrum to Leake which set up Purdew who worked his way into the 22 where he was felled by a high tackle. Bowden kicked the penalty to increase the lead.

Good kicking by Purdew and follow up work by Harris kept Skegness on the back foot and from a line out Taylor took a great take allowing Leake to set up a fine rolling maul which took them into the 22 before they were penalised allowing Skegness to clear.

A fine blind side break by Hedworth looked promising but he was forced into touch.

Back came Skegness and they scored the equalising try following a big mistake at the back by Leake which allowed the winger to step through unopposed.

A fine catch at a line out by Meldun allowed Leake to force their way upfield but they couldn’t break through the Skegness defence before the half time whistle went.

A string of penalties at the start of the second half gave Skegness the chance to make progress into Leake’s 22.

It got worse as the referee gave a try to Skegness when the centre grounded the ball at least a metre short of the line.

A bemused Leake were not affected by these strange decisions and came back into the game when a brilliant break by Purdew saw him dance through the defence to score a splendid try to make the score 15-15.

Another Leake attack ended with them being penalised for deliberately wheeling the scrum despite their dominance in that area.

At the other end Skegness should have scored a try but for a brilliant tackle by Gwynne on his opposite number as he managed to stop him touching the ball down.

Another succession of penalties kept the pressure on and eventually Skegness got the ball out to the left winger who scored in the corner.

Leake finished on the attack with good breaks by Harris and Gwynne almost bringing success but they were forced into touch.

Leake can be proud of their efforts and with a little bit of luck could have won the game.